After a three- week run in the Ateneo’s Rizal Mini-Theatre, tour shows within and outside the country, including a citation from the TeatralnyKoufar International Student Theater Festival in Belarus and, most recently, participation in the CCP National Theater Festival, the Tanghalang Ateneo’s SintangDalisa y celebrates the 45th Anniversary of The Asian Center, University of the Philippines at Diliman, with two shows on Saturday, November 24, at 2pm and 7pm.

Forged from both G.D. Roke's 1901 awit, AngSintangDalisayniJulieta at Romeo, and Rolando Tinio's translation of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, accompanied by live music and the igal dance tradition, SintangDalisayis living proof of the power of tradition to energize contemporary productions.

This adaptation, set in the imaginary community of Sempurna, portrays the Mustafas and the Kalimuddins as prominent families, mired in an age-old hatred for one another. Caught in the crossfire are Rashiddin and Jamila, two lovers brought together and married in secret.

Kalil Almonte returns as Rashiddin, Tasha Tañada reprises her role as Jamila, and Brian Sy revisits his part as the Imam who brings both youths together. The rest of the ensemble doubleas chorus members and characters, chanters, and even musicians.

Ricardo Abad directs this much-admired production, Dr. Matthew Santamaria choreographs, and Pedro Abraham Jr. designs the music, played to percussive heights by KontraGaPiand the TanghalangAteneo Traditional Music Ensemble. MelitonRoxas, Jr. provides the lighting design, and bith Miuke Parker and David Fabros create the graphics. The production design by late National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal – his costumes and his set – are kept intact.

The shows are scheduled on November 24, at 2 PM and 7 PM, at the GT Toyota Auditorium, UP Asian Center. For inquiries and reservations, contact Ada Albaña at 0920-966-9402.